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A
All right, I'm gonna be a little honest here. I'm feeling a little under the weather. I ain't feeling the greatest, but I did tell Colton that we'd record with him tonight, so we're gonna make it happen. Now, with that said, I feel a little better because we get to cover some of the most elite Americans that I've yet to see this year on an online platform. And I'm not saying that because I'm biased to who the breeder is. I'm just being real with y'. All. This seven lots of steers that are phenomenal in every way, shape, and form. I've been fortunate enough to see a lot of them in person in their younger days, and I'm just very, very excited to see what these cattle will do in the future. Luke, if you want to tack on anything that you have to say. And then, Colton, you're no stranger to the podcast. You've had several appearances, and then we'll just get grow into the lots of.
B
Yeah, no, I'm. No, I'm no big stranger into the. Or as familiar, I guess I should say, with all these Americans as Weston is, I don't know, inside out, but it's always a good time to be able to sit down and kind of see all these high quality animals and hear all about them. I'm ready to. Ready to get into it.
A
Colton, what do you think?
C
All right, I got two things, boys. First of all, Weston, you are sitting on your butt talking on the phone. You don't have to feel good to do this. Come on. Second of of all, Luke, you. You understand the bottom side of the pedigree on every single one of these, because they're. Yeah. Straight. Here I am. Wizard, maternal maid, anchor.
A
Agreed.
C
If. If you are in the show cattle world and you don't know those pedigrees, then maybe you aren't in the show cattle world.
A
He straight up told you, Luke.
C
I sure did.
A
But with all this said, one thing that I want to talk about first before we go into the lots. Obviously, Nelson is no stranger to the American world because, Colton, he's been around for quite a while, and we've had a lot. Or you've had a lot of success out of the bull, but talk to me about keep swinging and what you think of his progeny, because this is obviously the first set of cattle that you've offered out of the bull.
C
Yeah. So I'm pumped about him. You're a little bit false on Nelson being around for a while. You think that because you've been around since he was born. But this is only his second set of kevs to ever be offered.
A
This is true.
C
And for what he's done in his first set, he's made such a name for himself, you think he's a namesake and he's really just getting started. And so that's what pumps me up about him. But keep swinging. The first time I saw him, it was at the Holy Ground in Anson and humongous square, good shaped feet, humongous thick hair and was really deep sided and had good character. And I was like, crap, here I go to horns to see exotics that are better than mine, not Americans. And I then had an opportunity to partner up with him, Jess Shirley and Rory D. On the bull. And I thought that was a pretty good combination to be in cahoots with. I thought the bull was extremely complimentary to my Nelson stuff. I was thinking in the future of, you know, something that could wouldn't change the type and kind of Nelson, but would be complimentary as far as making Fort Worth type American cattle. And I thought that was the exact bull to do the job. He had a little more grow and was really, really big boned and. And so I was excited there. The coolest thing is that, like Nelson, he has been working obviously here on exotics and the character is like, you can see all but one has perfect character and so I couldn't be more pumped about that. Awesome.
A
Well, rolling into lot one, it's a bull steer option, obviously. Got to keep swinging over your 937. I'd like you to talk to me on how you acquired that cow, what she's done for you, and then we can talk about the calf.
C
Yep. Now, one more thing on keep swinging. It doesn't prove it here in this set because my cow's homozygous black, but the bull has a red gene. And if you go to horns right now you're going to see a handful of keep swinging red ones. And so a red gene, a paint gene, just like Nelson. So don't be scared to try to make colored ones there. But as we get into lot one, this one, like literally from the time that mama was licking him off, you're like, that just looks like a bull. He was huge legged. He was way stout skeleton and structured and burly and masculine even at a minute old. Big hair, big butt, big legs, just a lot of big features. And like I said in my comments, the coolest thing about him is as he's matured, all that's just started to blend, and he's turned into a pretty one and a very well balanced one. And his genetics and both of his parents suggest that that's where he should be. But I'm telling you, he was born so burly and stout, and that was the thought process behind leaving the seeds in that one. And I think he has a bright future, whether the buyer wants to leave him a bull or. Or wants to cut him and show him. But if he is left a bull, I would anticipate that he would have to be bred to ABC cows in order to keep the right kind of character. And really, this is the first flush on this cow. I was at Van Hoves. I set a budget, and she actually sold in the sale outside of my budget, and I did not buy her. I was set on my hands. I was disciplined. Boys, y' all need to try it. I did not buy her, but I was kind of doing some consulting for that sale. And so afterwards, I was talking with Robbie Van Hoven, just going over a few things, and the guy that bought her was the trio. Made the trio of this conversation. And I was like, man, high five. I love the cow. And if you want to sell her, I'm going to be a little bit less disciplined than I would buy her because. And he was like, hey, I'm not against that. If you like her, I'm good. And so that guy sold me the cow after the sale. And Rob was like, well, I'd like y' all to just keep bidding against each other during the sale, but this is fine. And so that was the second highest dollar female I'd ever bought. And she got home, she laid down, and caved, and had a patron daughter that is being shown in Mississippi right now that is a phenom. And I got to flushing on her. I say that I flushed her once. She made 18 embryos. 16 of them stuck. These are the bull calves. And then I got a set of heifers. Did get into some bad luck this summer and lost a couple along the way. But, like, you're literally seeing every bull kef that that cow has ever made. And except for one that died. Awesome.
A
Well, lot one's also pulled, so if they kept him a steer, you could definitely run in. Bring us. Am I correct on that?
C
Yes. Every one of these is smooth pulled. It was very refreshing that I didn't have to go do a bunch of dehoy.
B
That makes it nice.
C
Yeah.
B
Well, get on lot two. And obviously, I feel like this one looks a little more steering. Got Some mondo pipes on him.
C
All panther paws.
A
That's right.
C
This one from, he was born about a week before the lot one was. They had to say due date. This other one just came a little early and group texted the partners on keep swinging. And I said because this was that's the first keep swinging to ever be born. Is that Lot 2. And I said boys, we may be smarter than we think we are. And that one has been good from the word go and the way that he's got the size of his daddy's feet and legs, but he uses them like his mama. And that is for deadly combination.
A
Yeah, completely agree. And it reads here he's pretty good docility wise like first time showman type calf for sure.
C
Yeah. I mean, yes. But he's also, I read him to be a heavyweight. And so if you have a little first time showman, you may not want them toting around a big dog heavyweight, but if they can handle it, rock on.
A
Well then we roll into Lot 3 and it's a different combination. Same cow, different sire. The one and only Nelson. Another smooth pulled bring us like Colton had said. And I think this one's probably my favorite of the group. And I'm not saying that just because of his style and his look, but his feet and legs remind me to a lot that we've had in the barn, my family's barn at least. And I absolutely love this one's feet and legs.
C
Yeah, he's not as, he's not as big Featured as the 2 right ahead of him, but he is so complete and like cookie cutter pattern. You can't draw one's pattern any sharper and neater and more attractive than what his is. I love that about him. And the real unique thing is with that he's still like wide skeleton. He's wide in the center part of his body. He has muscle and I don't read that one to have as much grow as those two ahead of them. I, I would think managed right. And if it's what you wanted to do, you could roll into Fort Worth not this time, but next time and have a very mature, fresh, good looking middleweight. And I don't think that would be a bad thing.
A
Do you think that he has a future passport worth if he doesn't end up doing what the family ends up getting him for and taking him forward. Do you think he's a good dual purpose calf as well?
C
Yeah, for sure he would slick good. Now you say pass Fort Worth, but he may all of these calves with their Age, they may have their best in point before Fort Worth. You may have a fall county. You may have Dallas in your sights. And these cattle could be ready for that type of show. I made them. I did these matings on ones that I thought could be good, mature Fort Worth ones. And the side effect would be if they weren't blessed with hair. Hopefully they would either be a good breeding piece or fall into Dallas or hold over to the later spring slick shows. And I think they accomplished this very well.
B
Yeah, totally agree with that. And then you drop down to Lot 4, which is another full sib. So the one ahead, another Nelson. And this thing's gets to be in one of the three of the chromed up cabs you got. And I feel like out of the whole sale, this one's probably more different kind of the way way it looks. And like he says he's a little greener before, but he's got a little extra presence to him. What it looks like.
C
Yeah. How do y' all read this one?
A
So, honest opinion. I think this one's a hammer at Dallas. And I see him as a heavyweight. I think his hair quality is good enough to be fit right and clipped right for summer shows. But I think that one is a heavyweight in Dallas. Plays really, really hard. What do you think, Luke?
C
Yeah, I agree. I think he.
B
I think he definitely could, like, push him. Looks like he'll be a bigger calf, like cannon bone. Everything looks a little taller and longer, but kind of looks good. Like you be able to push and be able to hold it.
C
Yeah, it's. It's funny. And that's why I like. I don't like buying online and like, going and seeing them in person. Because what you are describing is exactly the thing that you can't read on a screen. And especially when they're not standing by other cattle. But because I would read the lot five, how y' all are saying this. Lot four is.
A
Yeah.
C
And not. Not saying he couldn't be a heavyweight, but like, he's. He's just a touch bigger version of Lot 3. That's not quite as pulled apart in the center part of his body. But like this ke, he was always, like, designed. Right. But I'm telling you, his mama is. I Met Sarah in 2006. Gosh dang. That was you guys born? Yeah, Allison. A long time ago, fellas. And this one's reset mama. Like, I was in college visiting Sarah in Sweetwater, and his recent mama was in existence. And she's fertile, but she's just like and she milks good, but it's just not rich. And so her calves aren't bloomy. Yeah. And so this was like a good built. Kev had nothing to him. And it was like, man, if he would come on, he could be something, but he's going to have to come on. And I weaned him. They kind of got the squirts. It was hot. It was at the end of summer and then September rolled around, we got a little cold front and this dude has caught a gear. And like I went from, from not knowing if he was going to be good enough or not, just from a punchy standpoint to like, does this guy want to be the best one one day?
A
Right.
C
Like, study that one skeleton and his rib cage and his balance and how everything fits together. He's got no holes in his design, in his structural, just integrity. And if he keeps putting on mass onto that skeleton, I mean, I think things could get real good whether you wanted to take him to Dallas or Fort Worth or whatever.
B
Yeah, I agree.
A
Obviously his feet and legs could take the mass too. I mean, that's one you could push on and his skeleton would hold it for sure.
C
Yeah.
A
Lot five's next. And we, I mean, you just said a minute ago you think this one probably be the heavier weight version. And I completely agree. I think this one's looks to be probably a little thicker hair. Am I wrong on that? Like thicker, denser hair.
C
Yeah. No, five is the different one of the bunch. He's got legs that are the size of and work like lot two.
A
Okay.
C
He's not quite as dimensional and pulled apart, but he is so smooth and so like pretty. And he's got really, really good top shape. He just doesn't have the center body width right now of those other ones. And he is, his hip height is just about an inch taller than everybody else, but he's deep flanked and so his proportions are still right. I just wear all these other ones. I think that with the right home and management, they could roll into spring shows. I think this one and the performance he has, he's going to be kind of married to going to a fall show, whether it be a county or Dallas or what have you.
A
Yeah.
C
And his hair, he, he is, he is the least quality haired of the bunch. It's a little more stringy. Yeah, it is kind of fun on his legs. But his bodied hair, his top, the hair down his top, it's long and stringy.
A
Gotcha.
B
Well, then you go into number six, which is another. Keep swinging Full sib. And like you said in this one, he won't be able to class American. This thing is painted up and got a cool look to him.
C
Hey, if. If I was from Louisiana, you know what I would do?
B
Take hill.
C
I would. I would. On that sire, I would have just slipped how great thou art in there. Yeah. And put him at lot one. And then y' all boys would have been all fired up wanting to talk about this bad a exotic.
A
I completely agree. This one, there was a black and white paint from two years ago that had worn or not two years ago, probably three years ago now. Shown by the Kirby's that was sold by Brady Black. Black and white paints here they called panda. And his build, body type, moderation, looks exactly like that calf. And that calf ended up third or second at Fort Worth in Class 9 or 10. But I saw this calf online for the first time about two, three, or I guess it was yesterday. And I thought, like, color patterns pretty similar for sure. But this calf's build and moderation, feet size, and the way he uses them reminds me of that calf a lot. But like you said, Colton, if he was labeled as a how great thou art, I think a lot of them northern guys would be really, really excited. But I wouldn't be scared if someone was to buy him.
C
Hey, here's what I'll say. Why I didn't label them is that. Do you know how many of those got beat by an American at Fort Worth not too long ago?
A
Quite a few.
C
So. So I could make an argument that this kef could feed better, perform better, and beat more of them because he's got American in his pedigree. So y' all just need to come to the bright side on lot six.
A
That's right. That's right. Looks like he's blessed with the good hair.
C
Yeah, he is. And he is a th carrier. He does have the th hair. And if you have like you were talking about earlier on that lot too, if you got a. A little kid that's first starting out, maybe it's a girl. Maybe it says Daddy. Lot 6 is cute. Don't back up because this one is super gentle. He's going to be easy to feed. He's real bold and. And wide and stout and moderate. He doesn't naturally, like, walk around cocky, and that's probably because he's so gentle. But that's a very good, basic, fundamental calf that doesn't have many holes.
A
Where do you think that he ends up if he goes to Fort Worth, like a class five Six, seven.
C
And don't get me lying, I miss that every time. I bought you a class four that ended up a 12.
A
Yeah, you're right. You did. You sure did. With that said, we roll into lot seven, last steer lot of this sale and. And he's a Here I am out of a different cow. So talk to me about the cow and why you ran her to here I am and what you think of this calf.
C
Dude, the cow on this one is another one that's bad to the bone. She at. At the Dakota Classic sale van hooves. This year she was the lead off cow to start their sale with. And you will find her same night as tonight is the steer sale is my breeding stock sale. And she's in there as Lot 5. She was Lot 5 in the Dakota Classic. She's Lot 5 in this sale. And she is moderate, huge bodied, flexible, athletic, run for days, running gear like exactly what guys say to breed to Here I am. And she spit this calf out. He's been hairy, he's been good looking, he's been big, muscled every day of his life. I haven't fed many of the here I Ams, but this is like the pedigree. Here I am, maternal maid anchor and so I don't know what he does, I don't know how good he is, but there's a lot of quality. There's a lot of hair, there's a lot of muscle, a lot of look. He looks to me like he needs to belly down a little bit. They say that's what those here I ams do. This one's old enough to have time to do that.
A
Yeah.
C
So awesome.
A
Definitely a Fort Worth contender, but has the running gear to make it to springs. What do you think?
C
Yeah, for sure. I mean, he's got running gear like his mama. That one's just, just the. He's got very unique pieces and if the right person feeding that one gets him to 12 o', clock, I think it, you know, the sky's the limit. Awesome.
A
Awesome. Then 8, 9, 10, you have keep swinging lots. 11, 12, 13, you have Nelson Seaman Lots. I guess one thing I can tack on to that is Nelson rip is not with us anymore. So if you want Nelson units, get it on. But he's also got the chance in his other sale. But all I gotta say is Nelson's the king daddy of them all. So if you don't. If you don't bid on them, you're kind of dumb.
C
Whenever you had. I don't know if everybody listened to whenever Waldrops had their deal with you, and they were like, oh, thigpen. He said, I don't know if I would go this far, but he went this far. Now I can see what he's talking about and talking out of the side of their mouth. But I did tell them, if you had in guy we trust and you had nelson and you said, hey, pick one to breed all your cows to, I would pick Nelson because I have bred all my cows to him, and it did nothing but make my stuff better. And so he is truly, out of all the sires I've ever used, the most consistent and has home run capability. And I just am lucky to have ever owned him.
A
And keep swinging. Is the rookie of the group, but he is catching up real, real fast. I got to see the bull in person, I guess was that this summer. Colton, I got to see him in person. He, like Colton, talked about huge, huge feet and legs. If I had to talk about this bull and what he resembles to, I would have to tell you, like, God bless America. But the black version, that sounds terrible. But take it as you want. Huge feet and legs, Real big framed, but has the muscle, the shape, the dimension to pair with it. The bull is phenomenal.
C
I would. I would. There is. He definitely does have features like God bless America, but the way that he puts them all together is actually a little bit more like golden boy. Golden boy has the some ph tricks, you know, pha tricks in there that this one doesn't. He's got the th. But their size, the size of their legs, their depth of their body, their proportions, the type of muscle and rib cage they have is all very similar, for sure.
A
Completely agree. With all that said, obviously, we are. We have and will do Colton's breeding stock sales. So opportunities to get Nelson are pretty endless on the 11th. But with that said, this wraps up your springborn stud sale. And they're all studs. They're all way out there, way cool. It's probably the most, I guess, with as long as I've been with you, Colton, one of the deepest sets you put together in the most different time. Because it's very rare that with me being around or been around for the past so many years, it's very rare you put together a fall sale. But when you do, it's deep. It's good. And this has arguably been my favorite one.
C
Thank you. Thank you.
A
All the cabs look great. I would definitely contact Colton if you are interested. If you are interested. You're a smart person. These cattle all will be managed the right way if you stick with Colton and get his guidance. Because Colton is one of the smartest individuals that I've become, and he's no slouch in any type of breed or type of cattle.
C
My report cards never reflected that statement.
A
With all this said, we are going to dive in to Colton's other sale here in a minute, and we will keep you all up to date. Make sure to check out a springboard stale on the 11th. Make sure, like steer bitter says bid to win. Is there anything else you want to tack on, Colton?
C
That's good, brother.
Podcast: EmpowerU
Hosts: Weston Hendrix & Luke Domingue
Guest: Colton (QB Cattle)
Episode Date: November 5, 2025
Topic: Preview and in-depth discussion of QB Cattle’s Spring Born Steer Lots
In this energized and detailed episode, Weston and Luke sit down (despite some under-the-weather feelings) with frequent guest Colton to preview the highly anticipated Spring Born Studs Sale at QB Cattle. The conversation dives deep into pedigree insights, unique cattle characteristics, and strategies for show success, offering practical breeder knowledge and a behind-the-scenes look at some of the year’s most elite American steers and bulls available online.
Quote:
"You don't have to feel good to do this. Come on." – Colton [01:14]
Quote:
"He’s made such a name for himself, you think he's a namesake and he's really just getting started." – Colton (re: Nelson) [02:36]
Quote:
"From the time that mama was licking him off, you're like, that just looks like a bull." – Colton [04:39]
Quote:
“Has the size of his daddy's feet and legs, but uses them like his mama.” – Colton [08:47]
Quote:
"You can't draw one's pattern any sharper and neater and more attractive than what his is." – Colton [10:32]
Quote:
"If he keeps putting on mass onto that skeleton, I mean, I think things could get real good whether you wanted to take him to Dallas or Fort Worth." – Colton [15:31]
Quote:
"He's got legs that are the size of and work like lot two." – Colton [16:24]
Quote:
"If you got a...little kid that's first starting out, maybe it's a girl. Maybe it says Daddy. Lot 6 is cute. Don't back up because this one is super gentle. He's going to be easy to feed." – Colton [19:54]
Quote:
"There's a lot of quality. There's a lot of hair, there's a lot of muscle, a lot of look." – Colton [21:09]
Quote:
"Out of all the sires I've ever used, the most consistent and has home run capability." – Colton [24:18]
Quote:
"There is...he definitely does have features like God bless America, but the way that he puts them all together is actually a little bit more like Golden Boy." – Colton [24:53]
The conversation blends expertise with humor, teasing, and genuine passion. Colton anchors the technical discussion, offering both detailed pedigree analysis and practical advice — especially for first-time buyers — while Weston and Luke keep the energy flowing and the questions coming.
This episode of EmpowerU is a must-listen for anyone interested in elite show cattle, offering practical advice, behind-the-scenes stories, vivid animal descriptions, and a look at why “Nelson” and “Keep Swinging” are bulls to watch. With accessible insights for both novices and industry insiders, Colton, Weston, and Luke wrap the preview with excitement for the sale and appreciation for the depth and quality of this year’s group.
Final Takeaway:
“If you are interested, you're a smart person. These cattle all will be managed the right way if you stick with Colton and get his guidance.” – Weston [26:19]